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August 2001 Status Report
It is my pleasure once again to submit my monthly status report for your review and information. If you should have any questions about any of the items listed, please do not hesitate to contact me.
1. Wastewater Treatment Plant
The project continues to proceed very smoothly. As I mentioned in my last report, they have poured a portion of the concrete for the new oxidation towers. They are now beginning to form and pour the next sections of the tower, and have begun just some preliminary work in the buildings. He also told me that sometime in September they will be delivering the media material that goes in the oxidation towers. He indicated there would be 120 semi-truck loads of this material, so they need to get the towers completed before the material arrives. If you are in that area sometime, I would urge you to stop and look at the project, as it is really beginning to take shape.
We have still not heard a thing from EPA regarding our permit. According to Duane it usually takes about a year for proposed permits to be issued, and since we have had the permit application in to them since December, hopefully we will hear something from them within the next three or four months.
2. Concealed Weapons Policy
As I mentioned in my last status report, we are looking at a concealed weapons policy. We held a meeting with City staff and Steve Martineau, at which time we reviewed the act and our rights under the act. Sometime within the next few weeks I should be reporting to the Commission on this matter.
3. Bellows Street Widening
As you will recall, Commissioner Roby inquired as to whether or not it would be feasible and wise to widen Bellows Street, particularly in light of the fact that the University was putting a pedestrian crossing in at Preston Street. As indicated, City staff would discuss this and prepare some cost estimates. In speaking to Duane, he tells me that they have had some preliminary discussions, but they have not had an opportunity yet to prepare any cost estimates for the project. As I am sure you know, we are right in the middle of our construction season and trying to wrap up a number of ongoing projects, so it will be a few weeks yet before a report is completed.
4. Public Safety Building
Work has started on the building with the demolition of the old Benford house immediately east of the Public Safety Building. As you know, the Building Authority sold the bonds a couple of weeks ago at an excellent interest rate. The interest rate is lower than we anticipated, which means our bond payment will be about $22,000 less per year than we anticipated, for a total cost savings over the life of the bonds of almost $350,000.
5. Fire Funding
I spoke to Ted Staton of East Lansing this week regarding the status of fire funding. As you know, both the Senate and the House are in their summer recess and will not be back in session until after Labor Day. It is my understanding that the total budget has not yet been approved, so the issue is still outstanding. Therefore, we do not know what will happen with our additional funding. Ted's most recent discussion with their lobbyist indicated there is more and more support building all the time for increased fire funding. We are therefore somewhat hopeful that the additional $2 million will be kept in the budget. However, as you know, the Governor has threatened to veto any increases. We are attempting to put together another trip to Lansing sometime in the middle of September to continue our lobbying efforts. We feel it is important that we keep the pressure on the elected officials to support our position in this matter.
6. Deer Problem
As I indicated in a previous report, the DNR has indicated that we do indeed have a sufficient enough deer problem to conduct a deer harvest this fall. Approximately two weeks ago I met with representatives of CMU to seek their permission to hunt on their land. They indicated they would pass this request to the appropriate officials with their support. It is my understanding that a decision has not been made yet, but hopefully will be in a very short period of time. In the meantime, we have scheduled a public meeting to be held on September 6th about this problem. The meeting will be held at the First Presbyterian Church by the SWAN neighborhood organization. If the hunt does proceed, it will take place beginning in October.
7. New Phone System
In my last status report I indicated to you that we expected the installation of our new phone system towards the end of August. That timeline has been delayed approximately one month because the software was not completed on schedule. It is my understanding that the software is now completed and being loaded onto the system, so it will be the last week in September before we change over. We will conduct a public information campaign telling people of the changeover.
8. National Night Out
I wanted to take this opportunity to compliment and thank the Youth Services Unit for another very good National Night Out program. Unfortunately, because of the very hot weather and the fact that it was being held the same week as the fair, the attendance was not as heavy as it has been in the past. It is also important that I thank all of the public safety agencies that participate in the program. This year the Michigan State Police brought their mobile command van and dive team. The musical entertainment and movie were both excellent this year. Again, my thanks to the Youth Services Unit and particularly Doug LaLone for the excellent job they did.
9. Skate Park Project
I am sure you read in the newspaper that a public meeting was held regarding the planned skate park project. The plans were well-received and there were people who volunteered to work with city staff to develop the specific kinds of jumps they would like to see in the park. As I indicated in my last status report, we will be using movable jumps and ramps, and they should be installed sometime in the spring of 2002.
10. Construction Projects
Our construction projects are beginning to wrap up. They were paving Preston Street as I was dictating this report, and as soon as that road is done they will begin the rebuilding of Tomah and Wendrow. The Arnold Street water line project is essentially completed.
As you will recall, the sidewalk projects this year were to be along Preston Street and repair work along Franklin Street from High to Illinois Street. Half the sidewalk has been completed on Preston Street, and work is progressing on the replacement portion of the sidewalk program. The rest of the sidewalk on Preston should be finished within the next two weeks.
11. SmartZone
You have probably received a notice from Middle Michigan Development Corporation that there will be a public announcement shortly regarding the attraction of a high-tech business to University Park and the IDEA building. It is my understanding that it will employ eight people, and it is also a unique project in that the University has agreed to lease them wet lab space in the Dow science building. These would be the first new jobs created in the new phase of University Park, and would mean a credit of approximately $80,000 towards our outstanding loan to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.
12. Bill McCracken
As you know, Bill had shoulder surgery a couple of months ago and then unfortunately had some medical complications that have set his recovery back. I am pleased to say that he is making progress and has begun physical therapy on his shoulder. At this point in time we do not know when he will return to work.
13. Airport Hangar
It is my understanding that construction of the new corporate hangar will begin next week. They will begin by pouring the foundation in anticipation of delivery of the building the last week in August. Since this is a rather simple project it should not take too long to complete, and the facility will be available for aircraft storage prior to the end of the year.